Shirt folding apparatus



Jan. 24, 1933.

J. J. OSHEA Filed Feb. 4. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 W 72 I 47 J2 n JL 2 F u3?. 24

cj'm s J: UaSZea,

\ INVENTOR HISATTORNEYS J. J- OSHEA SHIRT FOLDING APPARATUS Filed Feb.4, 1950 4 Shejcs-Sheet v,2

James J 0 @Aaa,

INVENTOR HIS ATTORNEYS Jan. 24, 1933.

J- J. OSHEA SHIRT FOLDING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 @757; Jog E32,

Filed Feb. 4. 1930 Jan. 24, 1933.

J. J. OSHEA SHIRT FOLDING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 4. 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4memtoz amps CI af 5 duct/"M 5 Patented Jan. 24, 1933 wire!) STATES JAMESJ. osnnmor naLLAs, TEXAS snmr ronnme APPARATUS Application filedFebruary 4, 1830. Serial No. 425,847. 7 v

This invention relates to laundryappliances and particularly to a shirtfolding apparatus.

The primary object contemplated by the present invention is theprovision of an apparatus by means of which a shirt may be quicksiteside edges and one end of the form, these boundaries of the formsubstantially defining 1 the bosom of the shirt.

' Another object is the provision of a form substantially correspondingtothe bosom of a. shirt and means for folding-a shirt along the edges ofsaid form, after whichthe form and the folding means may be inverted,

whereby the operator may secure the folded portions of the shirt inplace by suitable fastening means, pins generally being used in thelaundries for this purpose.

'lVlore specifically, the invention contemplates-a frame journaled atits ends in a pair of supports and mounted in the frame, so as to rotatetherewith, is a shirt form and means for folding or holding the shirtagainst the edges of the form. The means for holding the shirt along theopposite side edges of the form are preferably collapsible andexpansible laterally of the frame, while the'member for holding theshirt along the end of the form is slidable longitudinally of the frame.These two sets of folding means are preferably so arranged that themovement of one is controlled by the movement of the other. That is. themovement of the member toward the end of the form controls the expansionof the means for holding a shirt along the sides of the form and themovement of said member away from the formeifects a collapse orcontraction of said expansible means.

1 Any suitable power may be utilized for imparting motion to these shirtfolding and holding means, but there are, of course, latching elementsfor preventing motion of these'parts when desired. The rotatable frameis also adapted to be releasably locked vention longitudinally .55- ofFig. 2;

Fig.2;

ber shown in Fig. 9';

against rotation at times, such as when the shlrt is to be placed on theform, and after the form has been inverted to permitcom- "pletion ofthe'foldingof the shirt and the removal thereof;

-With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certaindetails'of construction and combinations. and arrangements of parts,allfas Willj hereinafter' be more fully described and the novel featuresthereof particularly pointed. out in theappended claims. v I r.

In the accompanying drawings,

I Figure l is aside elevation ofthe preferred form of apparatusembodying the present Fig. 2 is .a top plan viewthereof, with the shirtholdingand folding means positioned remote from the form; f

Fig. 3 is a similar view of a portion of the apparatus, showing theshirt holding and folding members in shirt engaging position;

Fig. at is a horizontal sectional View on the line l-of Figure 1;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken of the apparatus on the lineFig. 6 is a similar view on the line 6t i .of

Fig. '7 is atrans verse vertical sectionon the line 77 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional viewfon thev .line 88 of Fig. 2;

. Fig. 9 is a detail plan view of the member for folding the end of theshirt on the form; Fig. 10 is a detail elevationofthe means for latchingthe frame against rotation in its support; 1 j

Fig. 11 is a. detail View, partly in section, this view being'taken onthe line1111.of F ig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a detail elevational View of a portion of one end of theframe, illustrating the means for releasing the end folding mem- Fig. 13is a detail sectional View illustrating themounting of the felt or otherresilient material in the means for holding the shirt along the sides ofthe form;

Fig. 14 is an elevational View, partly in sec- PATENT FFI f fforimparting motion to the shirt holding 7 stitute supports 11, 11a, for arotatable frame.

2 members 12a and member that engages the shirt along the end of theform; and.

Figs. 15 and 16 are detail sectional views showing the valve arrangementutilized in the fluid actuation mechanism of Fig.14.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in theaccompanying.

drawings, there is a fixed frame comprising a base lO-and upright endportions which con- 12 mounted therebetween. As before pointed out, theshirt is adapted to be folded on a form which can be inverted tofacilitate the folding operations and it is for this reason that theframe 12 is rotatably supported in the supports 11,1161. Frame 12 iscomposed of side endportions 12?), 120, end 12?) having a stub shaft 13journaled in bearings 14 on support 11'. Theend 120 of frame 12also hasa stub shaft 15 journaled in a hearing 16 on support 11a, this shaft15being tubular, as shown in Fig. 5, for purposes which will hereinafterappear. Movement of frame 12 longitudinally with respect to its'supportsis prevented by collars 17, fixed on stub shafts 13.

' Fix'edly mounted in .,end 12b of the rotatable frame is theform'18,-'on which the shirt is to be folded, this form extendinglongitudinally of frame 12 in spaced relation with respect to the sides12a of the frame. The free end of form 18 has a recess o-r notch 19thereedges of said in, to facilitate the operator centering the shirt onthe form. Carried on eachside 12a of the rotatable frame and located inthe space between-said sides and the side edges of form. 18, there aremeans for pressing or creasingandholding a shirt along the side free'endof the form and end 120 of the frame,

there are additiona'lmeansfor holding the shirt along the free edge ofsaid form. Prefer'ably, the holding means at thesides of the frameconsist of strips ,of resilient material '20 mounted on bars 21, thesestrips of resilient material substantially corresponding in length tothelength of form 18.- Bars 21 are secured to thesides 12a ofthe frame bytoggle links 22, the joint or knee of each pair of links being pivotallyattached to an operating rod 23 for the purpose of contracting them. EX-

pansion or straightening of the toggle links 22 effects a movement ofbar 21 toward the side edgesof form 18 and contraction of said linkseffects a movement of said bar 21 away from the form. Themeans forholding the shirt along the free edge of form 18 consist of a strip ofresillent material 24 mounted in a holder 25, said holder having a stem26, that is slidably mounted in stub shaft 15 of frame 'end120.

The end of stem 26 at the exterior of support 11a is adapted to beengaged by suitable locking means to prevent movement sired by theoperator.

weight 33 form and located between the form 18, except when suchmovement is deis held retracted or away from form 18 by a latch 27 on anextension 38 ofsupport 11a, said latch engaging the shoulder formed byenlargement28 on saidstem 26.. Enlarge- Normally, holder 25 I ment' 28has an annular groove 29 therein in which engages a U-shaped member 30,and one side of said member has attached thereto a cable 31 running overa pulley 32, the depending portion 31a of said cable havinga 34 attheend of the apparatus. As will be apparent, if latch 27 is disengagedfrom head- 28 on stem 26, the weight 33- through cable 31 and memberwill effect a movement of holder 25 toward the free end edge of formL18,so as to engage a shirt previously placed onthe form. the other side ofmember 30 has attached thereto a cable 35 extending over pulleys 36,

36a, to one end base 10 so that upon pressing pedal 37 down, theopposite end thereof,-to which cable 35 is attached, willbe elevated soas to retract the holder 25. To disengage latch 27 from the free end ofsaid cable being attached the head 28 on stem 26, there is pivoted on anextension 38 of supportlla, a lever 39 whose handle end extending alongsupportv 11a is held in elevated position by a spring 40, and

suspended therefrom in a casing To retract holder 25,

of a tre'adle or pedal 37 pivoted on whoseoperating end is offset asat'39a, this "offset end portion being beneath but in vertical:alinementwith a pin 41 on the side of latch 27 Spring 40 is coiled 'aroundaprojection 54 on the handle end of lever 39 and is seated in a housing55 .on support 11a, but the upward movement of said lever is limited bya stop 52 on 'the supportlla. When the handle portion of this lever isin its elevated.

position, the offset end port-ionj39a is depressed, but, as will beunderstood, uponthe operator depressing the handle portion, the offsetend portion 39a will be elevated so as to engagethe pin 41 onlatch 27and raise said latch on its pivotal center 27 a to a point Where f itwillbe disengaged from'th'e enlargement 28 on stem '26. 'As before*mentioned,lunder these'circumstances, the'holder 25 will be movedlongitudinally of the rotatable'fra-me 12 toward form 18 by weight 33. 7

Movement of holder 25 toward and from the free end of form 18 is adaptedto control the movement of bars 21 toward and from the side edges ofsaid form. This is preferably lid accomplished by providing the holderwith converging surfaces which are engaged by rods 23, so that when theholder 25 is moved toward the form, bars 21 may be urged to ward oneanother or toward form 18 by springs 42 attached to said bars 21 and toprojections 43 on frame'end 120. tion of holder 25, the convergingsurfaces on holder 25 tend to force the bars 21 away from i 1% Uponretrac- 5 theform 18. Preferably, the specific construction foraccomplishing this result consists of cross pieces 44 formed integrallywith holder 25 and stem 26, said cross pieces being disposed at an angleof approximately with respect to said stem and similarly disposedsurfaces 45 formed on the offset end portions 23a of rods 23. To serveas a guide for the purpose of preventing surfaces 45 moving verticallyupward with respect to cross pieces 44, there is aplate 46 overlying thecross pieces 44. v

When a shirt is to be folded, it is placed on the'forin 18 with thebuttoned up front of the shirt on the top surface of the form and theshoulders of the shirt extending approximately along the free end edgeof the form. Latch 27 is then disengaged from the head 28 on stem 26,whereupon weight 83 will move holder 25 and the resilient materialcarried thereby into engagement with the shirt along said free end edgeof the form. Simultaneously, toggle links 22 will be straightened by theinfluence of springs 42 so that resilient material 20 carried by bars 21will be brought into engagement with the shirt a'long the opposite sideedges of the form. At thistime, the shirt will be firmly held alongthree edges of the form with the sleeves hanging downwardly. The frame12 is then given a one-halfrevolution so .as to invert form 18, theshirt being held in place on the form by the holding means describedduring this movement. After form 18 has been inverted, the sleeves ofthe shirt can then be folded onto the back of the shirt and pinned inplace, as is customary. As will be understood, the frame 12 is readilyrotatable, due to the shafts 13 and 15 being journaled in their supports11, 11a. When the shirt is being placed on the form 18, frame 12 is heldagainst rotation by a latch 47 mounted on one of the supports, beingshown on support 11a in the present instance. This latch has a recess 48in which is received edgewise the end-120 of frame 12, the latch beingurged toward the frame by a spring49, so to firmly hold the latteragainst unintentional movement. Movement of the latch toward the frameis limited by stop 50, mounted on support 11a. This structure-is shownin detail in Figs; 10 and-11, from which it will be clearly seen thatthe operator may release the frame for rotation simply by pressing latch47 toward support 11a. Latch 47 should not be held retracted so, theframe will again engage in recess 48 upon completion of a halfrevolution, under which circumstances form 18 will have been reversed orinverted. It will be understood that only one one-half revolution of theframe and form is required for each shirt folded, because, with the formin one position, the shirt is placed thereon, the frame and forminverted, thesleeves of the shirt folded and operator has full use ofhis attached as described, whereupon the folded shirt is then removedand another shirt placed on the form before the next half rotation isgiven the frame and form.

I11 F1gs.-14.to 16, there are shown connections for reciprocating holder25 by fluid I pressure. In thisa-rrangement, stem 26 o f the. holder isprovided with the head 28 havingthe annular groove 29 .therein, but inthis instance, the projections ofa yoke '61 engage in said groove. Yoke61 is carriedon the exterior end of the stem 62 ofa plunger 63 workingin a cylinder 64, this cylinder being mounted on the extension 38 ofsupport I, 1

and 16. This valve, indicated at 68, has the two ports 69, therein, andthe valve is manually operated by the handle 71. Assuming the plunger orpiston 63 to be positioned in the right hand end of cylinder 64, as

shown in Fig. 14, and it is desired to advance holder 25 toward form 18,handle 71 would be moved to the position shown in-dotted lines in Fig.14. This moves valve 68 to the position shown in Fig. 16, so thatworking fluid flows from supply pipe 67 through pipe 66 to the righthand end of cylinder 64 and the working fluid admitted to the cylinderis exhausted through pipe65 and discharge outlet 72. i Thisoperationwould move holder 25 toward the form 18. After the shirt on theform had been folded, lever handle'71 would then bereturned to theposition shown in full lines in Fig. 14, moving valve 68 to the positionshown in Fig. 15. In this position, the valve will admit working fluidto cylinder 64 through pipe 65, and exhaust the previously admittedfluid outlet 7 2.

As shown in Figure 1, there is mounted on through pipe 66 and dischargethat had previously been base 10 a holder or tray 73 for articles beingI laundered. lVith the construction shown, it will be apparentthatrshirts may beplaced on the form 18 and folded rather expeditiously.Except for theshortinterval of time re quired for the operator torelease latch 27 when holder 25 is to be'movedinto engagement with the.form 18 and the short interval of time required to release latch 47when it is desired to rotate the frame and form, the hands for thepurpose of folding the shirt on the form. If desired, the structure ateach end of the re volving frame may be enclosed by cover plates 51.

Vvhat I claim is: v

1. In a shirt folding apparatus, a frame, an elongated form around whicha shirt may be placed, supporting means for said form,

said form being invertible in said support,

, against said edges, and means for revolving 'saidpressmg means intheir for pressing and holding and means carried by said frame forholding a shirt along'the side edges and oneend of said form. r 7

2. In a shirt folding apparatus, a form around which a shirt may beplaced, means for pressing and holding a shirt against the opposite sideedges and one end of said form,

and means for inverting said form with a shirtthereon.

3. In ashlrt a form around which a shirt may be placed,

' means carried by said frame for holding said shirt against theopposite edges of said form, and means for inverting said form with ashirt positioned thereon. v v

4:. In a shirt folding apparatus, an elongated form substantiallycorresponding in area to the bosom of, a shirt, means mova le toward andfrom opposite edges of said form for pressing and holding a shirt on theform said form around itslongitudinal center wi an r shirt holdingposition. i

v 5 In a-shir t folding apparatus, an elongated form substantiallycorresponding in length and breadth to the bosom of a shirt and on whicha shirt may be placed, means shirt-against the of said form, and

side edges and one end 3 form and pressing means for revolving saidmeans aboutthe longitudinal center of the form with the latter in shirtholding p I osition; 6. In a shirt folding apparatus, a frame, a formaround which a shirt may be placed,

means carried by said frame for holding said shirt along the side edgesof-said form, and means for rotatably mounting said form and holdingmeans for rotation about the longitudinal center of the form. V

7. In a shirt folding apparatus, a rotatably supported frame, ashirtform mounted in said frame and around which a shirt may be placed,andmeans carried by said frame for holding the shirt along the edgeso-fthe form.. V p 3 8. In a shirt folding: apparatus, a rotatableelongated frame, a shirt form mountedin said frame and around which ashirt may be placed, and means mounted on opposite sides of said frameand movable toward and from said form for presslng andvholding a sn :5

' along opposite edges of the form.

ble elongated frame, a shirt form mountedin one end of said frame andextending befolding apparatus, a frame,

the laterally movable means.

tween the sides of said frame, means at 0p:

posite sidesof said frame movable toward the form for pressing andholdingfla shirt along opposite sldie' edges of the latter, and

means for pressing and holding a shirt along one end of saidform, r

11. In ashirt folding apparatus, a pair of a frame rotatable in saidsupports,

supports, a shirt form mounted in said frame, means carried by saidframe ing a shirtagainst opposite side edges and one end of said form,and means for releasably locking said frame against rotation.

12. In a shirt folding" apparatus, a pair of supports, a frame rotatablein supports, a shirt form mounted in said frame, means rotatably mountedin one of said vsupports for pressing and hold and movable relatively tothe frame to press and hold a shirt against one end of the form, andmeans for holding said shirt againstthe opposite edges of the form.

. 13. In a shirtfolding apparatus, a pair "of supports, a framerotatable in said supports, a shirt form mounted in said frame, meansrotatably mounted in onev of said supports and movable longitudinally ofthe frame'to hold shirt along one end of SfilCl' form, and means movablelaterally of the frame to hold a shirt along: the side edges ofsaid'form, the movement of thelast mentionedmeans being;

controlled by the movement of the means for holding the shirt atthe endof t is form.

14. In a shirt folding apparatus. a pair of supports, a frame rotatablein said supports, a shirt form mounted, in said frame, means movablelaterally of the frame to engage and hold a shirt along theoppositesideedjres of said form, means for yieldingly urging; saidholding means laterally of the frame toward the form, and means movablelongitudinally of the frame for holding); a shirt along one end of saidform, the movement of'the last mentioned means controlling the movementof 15. In a shirt folding apparatus, rotatable frame, a shift formrigidly mounted in said frame and spaced from opposite sides thereof,means mounted atsaid opposite sides of the frame movable'toward saidform for holding a shirt along opposite edges of the frame, springs forurging said holding means movable totoward sa d form, and means ward andfrom one end of the form for bolding the shirt alone; one end of theform, the movement of the holding means at the sides ofthe frame beingcontrolled by the movement of the last mentioned holding means.

16. In a shirt folding apparatus, a rotatable frame, a shirtform rigidlymounted in said frame and spaced from two'opposite sides thereof,collapsible members at opposite sides of the frame, and spring means foryieldingly expanding said collapsible members to engage and a hold ashirt on said form along opposite edges of the form, I

17. In a shirt folding apparatus, a rotatable frame, a shirt formrigidly mounted in said frame and spaced from two opposite sidesthereof, expansible members mounted on said opposite sides of the frameand adapted to engage and hold a shirt along opposite side edges of saidform, spring means for yieldingly expanding said expansible members toengage a shirt on said form, and means for engaging a shirt along oneend of said form, said last mentioned means controlling the movement ofsaid expansible members. a

18. In a shirt folding apparatus, a pair of supports, a frame rotatablein said supports, a shirt form rigidly mounted in said frame and spacedfrom two opposite sides thereof, means rotatable in one of said supportsand slidable in said frame to hold a shirt along one end of said form,means for releasably locking said holding means against movement, meanscarried by said frame and movable laterally thereof to engage and hold ashirt along opposite side edges of said form, and means for releasablylatching said frame against rotation.

19. In a shirt folding apparatus, a rotatable frame, a shirt formrigidly mounted in one end of said frame, a member movablelongitudinally of the frame to engage and hold a shirt along one end ofsaid form, said member having formed thereon a pair of convergingsurfaces, expansible elements mounted at the sides of said frame, meansfor yieldingly expanding said elements to engage and hold a shirt alongopposite edges of said form, and converging surfaces on said elementsengaging the converging surfaces on said slidable member for controllingthe expansion of said elements as said member is moved toward the formand for contracting said elements as said member is moved away from saidform.

20. In a shirt folding apparatus, a rotat able frame, an elongated shirtform rigidly mounted in said frame, a member slidably mounted in saidframe movable toward one end of the form to hold a shirt along that endof the form, expansible elements mounted at the sides of said frameadapted to engage and hold a shirt along opposite side edges of saidform, means for expanding said elements, and cooperating means on saidelements and member for controlling the expansion of said elements assaid member is moved toward the form and for contracting said elementsas said member is moved away from the form. 1

21, In a shirt folding apparatus, an elongated form having a surfacesubstantially conforming to the bosom of a shirt, said form beingadapted to have the sleeves of a shirt folded around it, a support onwhich said form is mounted for pivotal movement, and means carried bysaid support and associatand means on said support for forming a creaseo-r fold in a shirt along the side edges of the form and shirt bosom.

23. In a shirt folding apparatus, an elongated form around which thesleeves of a shirt are adapted to be folded, said form also having asurface substantially conforming to the bosom of a shirt, a support onwhich said form is mounted for pivotalmovement, and means on saidsupport for forming a crease or fold in a shirt along theside edges ofthe form and shirt bosom, said crease forming means being movablelaterally of the form toward and from the edges of said form.

JAMES JOSEPH OSHEA.

